Ashfield teenage dancer's bid to help 11-year-old with life-limiting condition

Dancer and regular fundraiser Ruth Lamb, 15, is hoping to raise enough money to buy a ramp for 11-year-old Riley Priestley who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Riley, an Ashfield School pupil, was diagnosed with the life limiting condition at the age of six and has been in a wheelchair since he was eight.

Now a power wheelchair user, he has been housebound for the past year due to virus shielding.

Things got worse when he broke both legs in an accident in his Sutton home in November, 2020.

His mum Stacey Priestley said: “We’ve had an horrific year, Riley’s accident knocked his confidence, on top of having to stay in all the time because of shielding. He can only sit by the door, he can’t go into the garden because we have high steps, it’s no fun for an 11-year-old to be stuck inside.”

Ruth, who is a dancer at the Christine March School of Dance, heard about Riley and decided to try and raise £2,000.

Dog walkers raise concerns over rat poison at King's Mill Reservoir

She set herself 11 challenges, over 11 days and started last Friday, doing 11,000 steps. On Sunday she did an 11k run and now has plans to do 11 hours of dancing plus several other ‘11’ themed activities, to match Riley’s age.

Stacey added: “Ruth is an inspiration, it’s lovely that she is doing this to help Riley. With a ramp, Riley would be able to go out in the garden, and have some fun playing football in his power chair with his dad Steven and throwing the ball for Sukie, our Staffie bulldog.

“As the weather warms up it will be nice for him to get outside into the sunshine, and for us to make some happy memories.”

Over the years Ruth has raised over £13,000 for different charities and has helped other children going through rough times. She is also planning a fundraiser for the homeless later this year.

Ruth’s mum Julie Lamb said: “Ruth just wants to help people, she wanted Riley to be able to enjoy being in his garden. She is doing very well and has already received about £1,200.”

To donate see the Just Giving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/julie-lamb-610.

Clipstone Rotarian taking on walking challenge for charity